- Joined
- Jan 28, 2003
- Messages
- 13,350
I'd like to post a question to our members.
I've hunted a bit and I've bagged a number of critters over the years.
The majority of my NA big game hunting has been done in the western states primarily New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Alaska. I've hunted some of the species that folks tend to claim a need for long range gear, to include elk, pronghorn and sheep. I've killed upwards of 20 elk, as an educated guess I don't keep count, and at least 6 or 7 pronghorn. I've also hunted mule deer in all kinds of terrain from desert to high mountain and most of the stuff in between.
I've seldom found the need to shoot at anything past 300 yards and very seldom have I ever taken a shot at a game big game animal at over 400 yards and I mean like twice that I can think of at the moment.
So here is my question.
Is it ever REALLY necessary to take a shot beyond 400 yards?
I know guys who do it and shouldn't be doing it, I know guys who do it and are capable of making long range shots but they are a rare and disciplined breed using specialized equipment.
It seems to me that some guys want to take long shots just because they want to. In fact they are looking for a long range shot and would rather try it for the challenge or to prove the worth of their caliber/rifle.
But in real life hunting conditions is it really necessary to have a rifle set up to shoot beyond 400 yards? By this I mean target turrets and a ballistic chart.
I can think of very few times that if the desire was there that you couldn't sneak to within 400 and usually much closer. After all we are hunters right?
I'd really like to hear from some of you sheep and Mt Goat nuts. This seems to be one of the places that we hear about long range feats quite often.
I've hunted a bit and I've bagged a number of critters over the years.
The majority of my NA big game hunting has been done in the western states primarily New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Alaska. I've hunted some of the species that folks tend to claim a need for long range gear, to include elk, pronghorn and sheep. I've killed upwards of 20 elk, as an educated guess I don't keep count, and at least 6 or 7 pronghorn. I've also hunted mule deer in all kinds of terrain from desert to high mountain and most of the stuff in between.
I've seldom found the need to shoot at anything past 300 yards and very seldom have I ever taken a shot at a game big game animal at over 400 yards and I mean like twice that I can think of at the moment.
So here is my question.
Is it ever REALLY necessary to take a shot beyond 400 yards?
I know guys who do it and shouldn't be doing it, I know guys who do it and are capable of making long range shots but they are a rare and disciplined breed using specialized equipment.
It seems to me that some guys want to take long shots just because they want to. In fact they are looking for a long range shot and would rather try it for the challenge or to prove the worth of their caliber/rifle.
But in real life hunting conditions is it really necessary to have a rifle set up to shoot beyond 400 yards? By this I mean target turrets and a ballistic chart.
I can think of very few times that if the desire was there that you couldn't sneak to within 400 and usually much closer. After all we are hunters right?
I'd really like to hear from some of you sheep and Mt Goat nuts. This seems to be one of the places that we hear about long range feats quite often.